Barcelona and AIDA Cruises have celebrated the inaugural visit of the world’s first LNG cruise ship in the Spanish metropolis. Barcelona will become the second – alongside Palma de Mallorca – start and end destination for AIDAnova’s seven-day cruises in the Mediterranean. Thanks to a partnership with Shell, the cruise ship will also be regularly supplied with liquefied natural gas (LNG) at Europe’s biggest cruise port.
AIDA Cruises and numerous representatives from politics, port-related businesses and tourism have celebrated the first-time arrival of the world’s first LNG cruise ship in Barcelona with a traditional crest exchange on board AIDAnova.
With four dual-fuel engines and three gas tanks on board, AIDAnova is the first cruise ship in the world that, since it was commissioned on December 12, 2018, is operated – both in port and at sea – with low-emission liquefied natural gas.
The use of LNG results in almost completely eliminating emissions of particulate matter and sulfur oxides while nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide emissions are sustainably reduced.
Thanks to a partnership with Shell, the cruise ship will be regularly supplied with liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Spanish metropolis.
The Costa Group – comprising AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises – along with its sister brands within Carnival Corporation’s global portfolio, has been an industry leader in promoting and developing sustainable and environmental solutions.
In addition to the use of LNG for cruise ships, Costa Group and Carnival Corporation’s global cruise brands have been industry leaders in pioneering the use of Advanced Air Quality System (AAQS) in the small confines of a cruise ship. Considered an environmental breakthrough, AAQS are already installed on over 70 percent of ships in the Costa Group and Carnival Corporation fleet. The use of LNG and AAQS both play an important role in further improving the impact of Costa Group’s marine operations.
AIDAnova
Highlights on board AIDAnova, which belongs to an entirely new AIDA generation, include new culinary and entertainment offerings such as the Time Machine Restaurant, a street food mile with tasty treats and the first floating TV studio. Guests will also find the ever popular Theatrium, the activity area Four Elements with a ropes course and waterslides, and the Beach Club for relaxing on board AIDAnova. Other features include a 3,500-sqm-large wellness area, an outdoor fitness studio, a penthouse suite with two decks, individual staterooms, 17 restaurants and 23 bars.
Until the beginning of November 2019 AIDAnova will offer seven-day trips to some of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean region – Civitavecchia (Rome), La Spezia (Florence), Marseille and Barcelona – which will be the second port of change for these trips.
Two further ships of the new AIDA generation will join the AIDA fleet in 2021 and 2023.
COSTA SMERALDA
In October 2019 sister brand Costa Cruises will take delivery of Costa Smeralda. Costa’s new flagship will call on Barcelona during her first cruise on October 30th, 2019 and will have her christening ceremony in grand style in Savona on November 3, 2019. The six-day inaugural cruise will depart from Savona on November 4, 2019, and sail to Barcelona, Marseilles and Civitavecchia (Rome).
Costa Smeralda will then continue to sail around the Western Mediterranean until April 2021, offering one-week cruises including Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Civitavecchia/Rome and La Spezia.
To learn more about Costa Cruises’ first fully powered LNG cruise ship visit “Costa Smeralda, a tribute to Italy“.